We run highly accessible hot vinyasa yoga in our inflatable, heated pods. A UK concept, launched in 2013 - we are the first outside Europe.
Hotpod yoga has been many months of hard work, love and attention in the making. Since its inception in a London pub towards the end of 2011 and launch in Jan 2013, we've tweaked and tested, considered and refined. Now we’re happy with where we’re going, we’d like to lay our cards out to the people who matter - our customers, fellow practicioners, teachers and even the press. It's important to us that our motives and mis-sion are clear.
What is Hotpod Yoga?
In the most material sense, Hotpod yoga is the first business to develop portable hot yoga studios. We worked with some very clever people to create something portable, hygienic and practical but also an exceptional yoga environment. Our patent is filed.
But at its core Hotpod yoga isn't a product business, it's a service business - we deliver excellent hot yoga classes. It’s what our customers come back for, and quality on this front is at the heart of our brand.
Where did it come from?
Nick and Max (Hotpod founders) both came to yoga with a certain degree of skepticism, and the sort of preconceptions sadly held by so many: of a rather daunting activity domi-nated by mysticism, concerned largely with chanting and tying yourself in knots. Thankfully, on stumbling across a great studio and some wonderful teachers we realised this wasn't the case. Instead we both found something that had a big impact on our lives.
At first we appreciated our increased flexibility and the sense of exertion – we enjoyed the burn of the muscles and a good sweat. But soon we began to see more. Some clarity of mind, some shifting of anxiety and a genuine and general feeling of calm. In short, it made us happier, better people. That's pretty big.
This experience is at the core of what we want to share.
What's our mission?
We understand that people remain a little afraid of yoga. Accessibility on all fronts is our response.
We’ve made our pods portable, so that logistical accessibility can never be an excuse, we’ve made sure we’re affordable so that money’s not too much of an issue, and we’ve made it hot and sweaty, so that even the most ardent sceptics can be guaranteed at the very least a good workout!
Practical considerations aside, our real focus is approachability - by emphasizing simplicity and keeping things down-to-earth, we hope to dispel anxiety and reassure the sceptics. While acknowledging the indisputable heritage and tradition of yoga we hope to demystify it for a new wave of converts, widening the reach of yoga’s amazing appeal.
There's no bad reason to begin yoga. If your objective is a six-pack or bendy hamstrings then so be it. The practice may develop into something more profound, or remain wholly physical. Either way, it’s a positive step towards greater wellbeing and we’re happy to pro-vide that, without judgement.
What to expect?
Stepping away from the outside world, from mobile phones, emails and the pace of every-day life, Hotpod classes have the specific aim of working the body and calming the mind in equal measure. Traditional postures are set up in our own sequences. Classes are dynamic and sweaty but equally a chance for calm - perfect tunes set the tone and lovely smells complete the tranquil atmosphere. Don’t expect chanting, don’t expect elitism - this is down-to-earth and fun but serious in its impact. Our expert teachers will get the heart pounding, get the sweat beading and work your whole body, right from the core.
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